Can end with retained tear strip

ABSTRACT

An easy opening container wall comprising a container wall of sheet material which is weakened in a preselected zone to define a wall segment bendable inwardly of the container wall about a bend line and a tab attached to the container wall for bending the wall segment inwardly. The tab can be pivoted through approximately 180* to thereby bend the wall segment inwardly approximately the same amount to form an opening in the container wall.

United States Patent [191 Fraze et al.

[ l 3,744,667 [45a July 10,1973

[ CAN END WITH RETAINED TEAR STRIP [75] Inventors: Ermal C. Fraze;Francis M. Silver,

both of Dayton, Ohio [73] Assignee: Ermal C. Frau, Dayton, Ohio 22Filed: May 8,1972

21 Appl.No.:250,979

[52] US. Cl. 220/48, 220/54 [-51] Int. Cl 365d 17/00 [58] Field ofSearch 220/54, 48, 27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,653,535 4/1972 Brown220/48 3,618,815 5/1970 Heffner 220/48 Primary ExaminerGeorge T. HallAtrorney-Gordon L. Peterson et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT An easy opening container wall comprising a container wallof sheet material which is weakened in a preselected zone to define awall segment bendable inwardly of the container wall about a bend lineand a tab attached to the container wall for bending the wall segmentinwardly. The tab can be pivoted through approximately 180 to therebybend the wall segment inwardly approximately the same amount to form anopening in the container wall.

14 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENIED JUL 1 0 ma SHEEI 3 OF 4 PATENTEBJUL 1 0191s SHEEIQOFA 1 CAN END WITH RETAINED TEAR STRIP BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The typical easy opening container wall has a tear portionwhich is removed by a tab to form an opening in the container wall.Unfortunately, severed tear portions and tabs are often carelesslydiscarded, and this has created a litter problem.

To solve this problem, it has been proposed to use an easy openingcontainer wall in which the tear portion is not completely removablefrom the container wall. This retained tab concept is generally regardedas a good approach to the solution of the litter problem and much workhas been done in an attempt to perfect it.

One of the most significant problems with the retained tab concept isthat the edges of the partially severed tear portion are exposed andrelatively sharp and jagged. These exposed edges are a potential sourceof injury to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an easyopeningcontainer wall of the retained tab type in which the danger heretoforepresent from the sharp edges of the partially removed tear portion iscompletely eliminated. This is accomplished by constructing the easyopening container wall so that the tear portion or wall segment isforced inwardly of the container wall during the opening operation. Thewall segment remains .within the container so that the sharp edgesthereof areinside of the container and cannot injure the user.

. In .the opening operation, the tab and the wall segment are pivotedthrough approximately 180 to an inverted position to thereby form anopening inthe container wall. In the inverted position the wall segmentunderlies and abuts the inner face of the container wall,

and the tab extends from a location underlying the container wall acrossthe opening to a location on the public side of the container wall. Inthis position, the tab is flat against the container wall and cannotinterfere with removal of the contents of the container.

The typical container wall has a peripheral attaching flange whichprojects axially of the container wall on the public side thereof.Preferably, the tab and the wall segment are oriented so that the tabcan be substantially inverted without interference from the attachingflange. In the inverted position, the tab preferably lies completelywithin the area surrounded by the attaching flange.

The tab and the wall section must be sized and oriented so thatinversion of the tab does not completely close off the opening in thecontainer wall or otherwise interfere with pouring of the contents ofthe container from the opening. In addition, the opening should beadjacent the attaching flange. In a preferred form of the presentinvention, the wall segment is adjacent the attaching flange and the taband the wall segment are pivoted about a bend line which forms an acuteangle with the longitudinal axis of the portion of the tab outside thewall segment. This provides a pouring opening close to the periphery ofthe container wall and assures that the inverted tab will not contactthe attaching flange.

Another feature of the present invention is that the tab protrudes onlya minimum amount from the container wall in the inverted position. Thisis accomplished, in part, by providing a depressed panel or depressedsection in the container wall. At least a portion of thewall segment islocated in the depressed panel, and the depressed panel is of sufficientarea to receive the portion of the tab which overlies the public side ofthe container wall in the inverted position of the tab. Anotherstructural feature contributing to this overall purpose is a bend regionformed in the tab. The bend region lies closely adjacent a section ofthe rim of the opening when the tab is inverted. The bend section andthe adjacent section of the rim are sized and oriented so as to allowmaximum pivotal movement of the tab before the tab engages the rim ofthe opening.

The container wall preferably has a second depressed panel or depressedsection for receiving the offset end portion of the tab prior to openingthe container. This prevents the tab from projecting unduly on thepublic side of the container wall prior to formation of the opening inthe container wall. For some embodiments of the invention, the offset ofthe end portion of the tab can be at a maximum at one end. of the bendportion and at a minimum at the other end of the bend portion.Preferably, the second depressed section is correspondingly shaped so asto minimize the volume reduction of the container as a result of thedepressed sections.

The tab can advantageously be constructed of sheet material andreinforced longitudinally against bending by beads or curls formed alongthe periphery of the tab. To provide a smooth surface on the tab whenthe container is open, the curls are preferably formed by turning of thesheet material upwardly and inwardly. Accordingly, in the invertedposition of the tab, the curls project downwardly thereby leaving asmooth surface on the public side of the container wall.

To facilitate opening of the container wall, the tab is preferablyattached to the wall segment at a region thereof which is not depressedinwardly. This provides some free lift, i.e., it permits the outer endof the tab to be raised slightly before it forcibly engages the sheetmaterial along the weakened zone. In addition, a bend score line orsimilar nonrupturable weakening means may be provided along the bendline about which the tab and the wall segment are to bend.

The invention can best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying illustrativedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of a tab of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken generally along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one form of a container wall of thisinvention.

FIGS. 5-9 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken generally alonglines 55, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8 and 9--9 of FIG. 4, respectively, and showingthe variations in depth of one of the depressed panels.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line l0--l0 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an easy opening con tainer wallconstructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 11 with the tab pivoted toform an angle of about with the container wall and with an openingformedin the container wall.

generally FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the easy opening container wallin the fully open position, i.e., with the tab and wall segmentsubstantially inverted.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline l4l4 of FIG. 11 and showing the easy opening container wall mountedon a can body.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 15--15 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken generally along line 1616 of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 11 shows an easy openingcontainer wall 11 constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention. The easy opening container wall 11 generally includes acontainer wall 13 and a tab 15.

The container wall 13, which can best be understood from reference toFIGS. 4-10, is constructed of sheet material such as aluminum or analuminum alloy. In the embodiment illustrated, the container wall 13 isin the form of a can end and has a peripheral attaching flange 17 forattaching the container wall to a can body 19 (FIG. 14).

The container wall 13 has depressed panels or depressed sections 21 and23. The depressed panel 21 has a peripheral wall 25 and a bottom wall 27(FIG. A nondepressed region 29 in the form of a finger or projectionextends into the depressed panel 21 as shown in FIG. 4. A rupturablescore line 31 which includes a straight leg 33 and a curved leg 35 areprovided in the bottom wall 27. As shown in FIG. 4, the legs 33 and 35intersect to form a corner 37. A nonrupturable score line 39 is formedacross the nondepressed region 29 and is oriented so that, if it werelonger, it would substantially intersect the remote ends of the legs 33and 35. The score line 39 is scored to a lesser depth than the scoreline 31 and accordingly in ordinary use the sheet material along thescore line 39 will not rupture. The score lines 31 and 39 cooperate todefine a tear portion or wall segment 41 which is pivotable inwardlyabout a bend line which is partially defined and which extends along thenonrupturable score line 39.

The wall segment 41 is comprised of a section within the depressed panel21 and of the nondepressed region 29. The depressed panel 21 has arelatively large region 43 which lies outside of the wall segment 41. Ahollow rivet 45 is formed integrally with the sheet material of thenondepressed region 29 for attaching the tab to the container wall 13.

The depressed panel 23 has a bottom wall 47 and a peripheral wall 49 ofvarying height. FIGS. 5-9 show generally how the height of theperipheral wall 49 varies. In the embodiment illustrated, the peripheralwall is progressively reduced in height from the line 5-5 (FIG. 4)counterclockwise to the line 9-9 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 5, theperipheral wall 49 at that position is substantially full height and asshown in FIG. 9 the peripheral wall 49 is almost eliminated at thatposition. Similarly, a section 50 of the peripheral wall isprogressively increased in height from the line 99 (FIG. 4) to a corner51 of the depressed panel 23.

The tab 15 (FIGS. 1-3) in the embodiment illustrated is a lever tab andis integrally constructed from a single piece of sheet material. Aperipheral region of the sheet material of the tab is curled upwardlyand inwardly to form a peripheral reinforcing bead or curl 53 whichextends substantially completely around the tab and which is interruptedto form a rupturing nose 55. The tab 15 may be strengthened adjacent therupturing nose 55 by one or more ribs 57 (two being illustrated) whichinthe embodiment illustrated are formed upwardly in the sheet material ofthe tab. The sheet material from which the tab 15 is constructed may be,for example, an aluminum alloy or steel. The tab 15 has a handle orlifting end 59 and a rivet receiving aperture 61 intermediate the endsof the tab for receiving the rivet 45 (FIG. 10).

The tab 15 has a bend portion 63 which forms an acute angle with thelongitudinal axis of the tab 15 and which divides the tab into sections65 and 67. The bend portion 63 offsets the section 65 downwardlyrelative to the section 67. The amount of the offset is maximum at alocation 69 at one end of the bend portion 63 and progressivelydecreases to a minimum at a location 71 at the opposite end of the bendportion 63.

FIGS. 11 and 14 show the tab 15 mounted on the container wall 13 by therivet 45 which projects through the aperture 61 of the tab. The tab 15is oriented relative to the container wall 13 so that the ruptun'ng nose55 overlies the corner 37 and so that the section 65 of the tab isreceived within the depressed panel 23. The bend portion 63 of the tabextends generally along the wall section 50 of the depressed panel 23.The degree of offset provided by the bend portion 63 between thelocations 69 and 71 (FIG. 1) corresponds to the change in height of thewall section 50 so that the tab 15 projects a minimum amount above thecontainer wall 13. By tailoring the depth of the panel 23 to the shapeof the section 65 and of the bend portion 63 of the tab 15, the volumereduction of the container 19 is minimized. The purpose of the offsetprovided by the bend portion 63 is described hereinbelow.

The longitudinal axis of the tab forms an acute angle with the scoreline 39 and with the bend line which is formed along the score line 39during the opening operation. The tab 15 extends at an angle across thewall segment 41 so as to effectively asymmetrically divide the wallsegment.

To open the container wall 13, the lifting end 59 of the tab is raisedabove the container wall 13 to thereby tend to pivot the tab generallyabout the score line 39.-

This causes the rupturing nose 55 to apply a downward force to the wallsegment 41 at the cOrner 37 to thereby rupture the sheet material alongthe legs 33 and 35 of the rupturable score line 31. This forms anopening 73 in the container wall (FIGS. 12 and 15). The wall segment 41and the tab 15 both pivot about the nonrupturable score line 39 whichassists in the formation of a bend line.

To complete the opening process, the tab 15 and the wall segment 41 arepivoted togetherabout the score line 39 approximately an additional 90to the position shown in FIGS. 13 and 16. In this position, the tab 15and the wall segment 41 are substantially inverted relative to thepositions which they occupied prior to initiation of the openingprocess. A portion of the tab 15 underlies the container wall 13, asecond portion of the tab projects at an angle across the opening 73 todivide the opening into a relatively large pouring opening 75 and arelatively small vent opening 77, and a third portion of the tab whichincludes substantially all of the section 65 is received within thedepressed panel 21.

The wall segment 41 has severed edges as a result of rupture of thesheet material along the score line 31; however, these edges areentirely within the container 19 so they do not represent a potentialsource of injury. The tab can be pivoted through substantially 180 fromthe position shown in FIG. 11 to the position shown in FIG. 13 withoutinterference from the attaching flange 17. The pouring opening 75 islocated relatively close to the periphery of the container wall 13 andthe tab 15 does not interfere with pouring out of the opening 75.Because the section 65 of the tab is received in the depressed panel 21,protrusion of the tab axially of the container 13 is minimized.

The purpose of the bend portion 63 is to prevent contact of the tab 15on the rim 79 of the opening. Such contact would limit the degree ofpivotal movement of the tab 15 and cause some axial protrusion of thetab. However, by appropriately ofisetting the section 65, the tab willnot contact the rim 79. The nature and type of the offset of the tab 15will vary depending upon various factors including the size, shape andorientation of the tab and the wall segment 41. Accordingly, the bendportion 63 is shown merely by way of example as a bend portion which issatisfactory for the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, many changes, modifi cations and substitutionS maybe made byone having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departingfromthespirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material, the sheet material of said containerwall being weakened in a preselected zone to define one wall segmentbendable inwardly of the container wall about a bend line;

a tab;

means for attaching the tab to the wall segment with at least a portionof the tab overlying at least a portion of the wall segment, said tabbeing pivotable through a sufficient number of degrees to at leastsubstantially invert said tab, such pivotal movement of the tab severingsaid sheet material along said preselected zone and bending the wallsegment inwardly generally about said bend line to at leastsubstantially invert the wall segment whereby an opening is formed insaid container wall;

said tab and said wall segment being sized and oriented so that aportion of said opening of sufficient size to constitute a pouringopening is uncovered by said tab after said taband said wall segment areinverted; and

said tab when inverted lying entirely within the peripheral outline ofsaid container wall.

2. An easy opening container wall asdefined in claim 1 wherein said tabis constructed of sheet material, a peripheral region of the sheetmaterial of said tab being turned upwardly and inwardly to define aperipheral reinforcing bead whereby when said tab is inverted saidperipheral region of the tab is turned downwardly.

3. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer wall includes a peripheral axially protruding attaching flangewhich at least substantially circumscribes a region of the containerwall, said tab having a second portion lying outside of the wall segmentand having an axis which forms an acute angle with said bend line, saidtab being completely within the area circumscribed by said attachingflange when said tab is inverted.

4. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said tabwhen inverted projects completely across the opening and a section ofsaid tab overlies the container wall, said tab having a bend portionadjacent the rim of the opening when the tab is inverted which allowssaid section of the tab to be closer to the container wall than if saidbend portion were not provided.

5. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein saidcontainer wall includesa depressed re gion for receiving said section ofsaid tab prior to pivoting of the tab to form said opening.

6. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer wall includes a depressed sec tion formed downwardly in saidcontainer wall, at least a major portion of said wall segment beingformed in said depressed section, said tab when inverted having first,second and third sections, said first section being on the inner side ofthe container wall, said second section overlying the opening and saidthird section being on the outer side of the container wall, said thirdsection of said tab lying entirely within the area of said depressedsection.

7. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material, the sheet material of said containerwall being weakened in a preselected zone to define a wall segmentbendable inwardly of the container wall about a bend line;

said container wall having a depressed section therein, at least a majorportion of said wall segment being located in said depressed section;

a tab;

means for attaching the tab to the container wall with at least aportion of the tab overlying at least a portion of the wall segment,said tab being pivotable through a sufficient number of degrees to atleast substantially invert said tab, such pivotal movement of the tabsevering said sheet material along said preselected zone and bending thewall segment inwardly generally about said bend line to at leastsubstantially invert said wall. segment whereby an opening is formed insaid container wall;

said tab when inverted projecting completely across said opening andhaving a section which overlies said container wall, said section ofsaid tab lying entirely within the area of said depressed section; and

said tab and said wall segment being sized and oriented so that aportion of said opening of sufficient size to constitute a pouringopening is uncovered by said tab after said tab and! said wall segmentare inverted.

8. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 7 wherein said tabhas a bend portion adjacent the rim of the opening when the tab isinverted which causes said section of the tab to be closer to thecontainer wall than if said bend portion were not provided.

9. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein saidcontainer wall includes a depressed re.- gion for receiving said sectionof said tab prior to pivoting of the tab to form said opening.

10. An easy opening container wall as defined .in claim 7 wherein saidbend line forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said tab,said preselected zone includes first and section portions extending indifferent directions and defining a corner of the wall segment, said tabhaving a rupturing nose adapted to contact said container wallsubstantially at said corner.

11. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 10 wherein saidwall segment includes a section outside of said depressed section, saidtab being attached to the wall segment at said section which is outsideof said depressed section.

12. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material, the sheet material of said containerwall being weakened in a preselected zone to define a wall segmentbendable inwardly of the container wall about a bend line;

a tab;

means for attaching the tab to the container wall, at least a portion ofthe tab overlying at least a portion of the wall segment, said tab beingpivotable through a sufficient number of degrees to at leastsubstantially invert said tab, such pivotal movement of the tab severingsaid sheet material along said preselected zone and bending the wallsegment inwardly generally about said bend line to at leastsubstantially invert the wall segment whereby an opening is formed insaid container wall;

said tab when inverted projecting completely across said opening andhaving a section which overlies said container wall, said tab having abend portion adjacent the rim of the opening when the tab is invertedwhich causes said section of said tab to be closer to the container wallthan if said bend portion were not provided; and

said tab and said wall segment being sized and oriclaim 12 wherein saidbend portion extends generally across said tab and provides a greateroffset at one end of said bend portion than at the other end of saidbend portion.

14. A method of providing an opening in a container wall comprising:

providing a container wall of sheet material having a.

weakened zone defining a wall segment bendable inwardly about a bendline and a tab attached to the container wall with at least a portion ofa tab overlying at leasta portion of the wall segment, the tab beingpivotable generally about said bend line through about pivoting said tabgenerally about said bend line to rupture the sheet material of saidcontainer wall along said weakened zone to form an opening in saidcontainer wall;

continuing said step of pivoting to pivot said tab and said wall segmentthrough approximately 180 to thereby at least substantially invert saidtab and said wall segment; and v the tab and the wall segment beingsized and oriented so that a portion of said opening of sufficient sizeto constitute a pouring opening is uncovered after the tab and the wallsegment are substantially inverted.

1. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheetmaterial, the sheet material of said container wall being weakened in apreselected zone to define one wall segment bendable inwardly of thecontainer wall about a bend line; a tab; means for attaching the tab tothe wall segment with at least a portion of the tab overlying at least aportion of the wall segment, said tab being pivotable through asufficient number of degrees to at least substantially invert said tab,such pivotal movement of the tab severing said sheet material along saidpreselected zone and bending the wall segment inwardly generally aboutsaid bend line to at least substantially invert the wall segment wherebyan opening is formed in said container wall; said tab and said wallsegment being sized and oriented so that a portion of said opening ofsufficient size to constitute a pouring opening is uncovered by said tabafter said tab and said wall segment are inverted; and said tab wheninverted lying entirely within the peripheral outline of said containerwall.
 2. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid tab is constructed of sheet material, a peripheral region of thesheet material of said tab being turned upwardly and inwardly to definea peripheral reinforcing bead whereby when said tab is inverted saidperipheral region of the tab is turned downwardly.
 3. An easy openingcontainer wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said container wallincludes a peripheral axially protruding attaching flange which at leastsubstantially circumscribes a region of the container wall, said tabhaving a second portion lying outside of the wall segment and having anaxis which forms an acute angle with said bend line, said tab beingcompletely within the area circumscribed by said attaching flange whensaid tab is inverted.
 4. An easy opening container wall as defined inclaim 1 wherein said tab when inverted projects completely across theopening and a section of said tab overlies the container wall, said tabhaving a bend portion adjacent the rim of the opening when the tab isinverted which allows said section of the tab to be closer to thecontainer wall than if said bend portion were not provided.
 5. An easyopening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein said container wallincludes a depressed region for receiving said section of said tab priorto pivoting of the tab to form said opening.
 6. An easy openingcontainer wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said container wallincludes a depressed section formed downwardly in said container wall,at least a major portion of said wall segment being formed in saiddepressed section, said tab when inverted having first, second and thirdsections, said first section being on the inner side of the containerwall, said second section overlying the opening and said third sectionbeing on the outer side of the container wall, said third section ofsaid tab lying entirely within the area of said depressed section.
 7. Aneasy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheetmaterial, the sheet material of said container wall being weakened in apreselected zone to define a wall segment bendable inwardly of thecontainer wall about a bend line; said container wall having a depressedsection therein, at least a major portion of said wall segment beinglocated in said depressed section; a tab; means for attaching the tab tothe container wall with at least a portion of the tab overlying at leasta portion of the wall segment, said tab being pivotable through asufficient number of degrees to at least substantially invert said tab,such pivotal movement of the tab severing said sheet material along saidpreselected zone and bending the wall segment inwardly generally aboutsaid bend line to at least substantially invert said wall seGmentwhereby an opening is formed in said container wall; said tab wheninverted projecting completely across said opening and having a sectionwhich overlies said container wall, said section of said tab lyingentirely within the area of said depressed section; and said tab andsaid wall segment being sized and oriented so that a portion of saidopening of sufficient size to constitute a pouring opening is uncoveredby said tab after said tab and said wall segment are inverted.
 8. Aneasy opening container wall as defined in claim 7 wherein said tab has abend portion adjacent the rim of the opening when the tab is invertedwhich causes said section of the tab to be closer to the container wallthan if said bend portion were not provided.
 9. An easy openingcontainer wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said container wallincludes a depressed region for receiving said section of said tab priorto pivoting of the tab to form said opening.
 10. An easy openingcontainer wall as defined in claim 7 wherein said bend line forms anacute angle with the longitudinal axis of said tab, said preselectedzone includes first and section portions extending in differentdirections and defining a corner of the wall segment, said tab having arupturing nose adapted to contact said container wall substantially atsaid corner.
 11. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 10wherein said wall segment includes a section outside of said depressedsection, said tab being attached to the wall segment at said sectionwhich is outside of said depressed section.
 12. An easy openingcontainer wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material, the sheetmaterial of said container wall being weakened in a preselected zone todefine a wall segment bendable inwardly of the container wall about abend line; a tab; means for attaching the tab to the container wall, atleast a portion of the tab overlying at least a portion of the wallsegment, said tab being pivotable through a sufficient number of degreesto at least substantially invert said tab, such pivotal movement of thetab severing said sheet material along said preselected zone and bendingthe wall segment inwardly generally about said bend line to at leastsubstantially invert the wall segment whereby an opening is formed insaid container wall; said tab when inverted projecting completely acrosssaid opening and having a section which overlies said container wall,said tab having a bend portion adjacent the rim of the opening when thetab is inverted which causes said section of said tab to be closer tothe container wall than if said bend portion were not provided; and saidtab and said wall segment being sized and oriented so that a portion ofsaid opening of sufficient size to constitute a pouring opening isuncovered by the tab when said tab and said wall segment are inverted.13. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 12 wherein saidbend portion extends generally across said tab and provides a greateroffset at one end of said bend portion than at the other end of saidbend portion.
 14. A method of providing an opening in a container wallcomprising: providing a container wall of sheet material having aweakened zone defining a wall segment bendable inwardly about a bendline and a tab attached to the container wall with at least a portion ofa tab overlying at least a portion of the wall segment, the tab beingpivotable generally about said bend line through about 180*; pivotingsaid tab generally about said bend line to rupture the sheet material ofsaid container wall along said weakened zone to form an opening in saidcontainer wall; continuing said step of pivoting to pivot said tab andsaid wall segment through approximately 180* to thereby at leastsubstantially invert said tab and said wall segment; and the tab and thewall segment being sized and oriented so that a portion of said openingof sufficient size to constitute a pouring opening is uncovered afterthe tab and the wall segment are substantially inverted.